An Israeli NGO wants US to cancel tax cuts for pro-settlement groups
The left-wing organization Gush Shalom is launching a campaign against organizations soliciting donations in the United States, particularly those receiving US federal tax exemptions for settlements and illegal outposts, The Jerusalem Post has learned.
The timing of the campaign has been stepped up from September to August because the Foreign Ministry recently launched its own campaign to block governments of foreign countries from donating money to human rights organizations in Israel.
Israeli NGO battles settlements in US
It appears that there is a move by Israel's Foreign Ministry, led by Avigdor Liberman, to block foreign governments from supporting human rights non profits in Israel.
Is this a good idea?
One of the organizations singled out by Gush Shalom is called "Shuva Israe," which describes itself as "a US non-profit organization with 501c3 IRS tax deductible status."
The organization solicits money for a long list of West Bank settlements and illegal outposts including Havat Gilad and Havat Ya'ir, which are on the list of outposts Israel has promised the US to dismantle.
JPOST
Here's a quote from Shuva's Website
Join the efforts of thousands of Evangelical Christian Lovers of Zion. Help us absorb new immigrants and build the facilities needed to substantially increase the population of our 30 Jewish communities in Biblical Samaria!
Isaiah 49:22 "Thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I will lift up mine hand to the Gentiles, and set up my standard to the people: and they shall bring thy sons in their arms, and thy daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders."
DO YOU WANT TO KNOW HOW YOU CAN FULFILL BIBLICAL PROPHESY AND HELP ASSIST NEW IMMIGRANTS, YOUNG COUPLES AND FAMILIES - THE BRAVE JEWISH PIONEERS MOVING TO AND LIVING IN THE BIBLICAL MOUNTAINS OF SAMARIA, ISRAEL (EZEKIEL 36)?
(Please click on the link entitled "projects." Feel free to designate your gift to one or more of the projects that speaks to your heart.)
Shuva Israel
From Gush Shalom
Aims:
The primary aim of Gush Shalom is to influence Israeli public opinion and lead it towards peace and conciliation with the Palestinian people, based on the following principles:
Putting an end to the occupation,
- Accepting the right of the Palestinian people to establish an independent and sovereign State of Palestine in all the territories occupied by Israel in 1967,
Reinstating the pre-1967 "Green Line" as the border between the State of Israel and the State of Palestine (with possible minor exchanges of territories agreed between the parties); the border will be open for the free movement of people and goods, subject to mutual agreement.
Establishing Jerusalem as the capital of the two states, with East Jerusalem (including the Haram al-Sharif) serving as the capital of Palestine and West Jerusalem (including the Western Wall) serving as the capital of Israel. The city is to be united on the physical and municipal level, based on mutual agreement.
Recognizing in principle the Right of Return of the Palestinian refugees, allowing each refugee to choose freely between compensation and repatriation to Palestine and Israel, and fixing by mutual agreement the number of refugees who will be able to return to Israel in annual quotas, without undermining the foundations of Israel.
Safeguarding the security of both Israel and Palestine by mutual agreement and guarantees.
Striving for overall peace between Israel and all Arab countries and the creation of a regional union.
Are donations like this for a charitable purpose? Should Israel be allowed to block funding for Human Rights groups?
So, Should US citizens be allowed to deduct charitable contributions to groups that oppose US policies? Probably so, what do you think?